Updated:
October 6, 2006
 n 1932, Frank Miller opened the International Shrine to Aviators, encompassing the St. Francis Chapel and the adjoining St. Francis Atrio; the Atrio hosts the Famous Fliers’ Wall, which the Miller-Hutchings family used to recognize notable aviators. Today, 151 fliers or groups of fliers—most of whom were in attendance for their induction ceremonies--are honored there. Each aviator’s signature is etched onto a ten-inch wide pair of copper wings attached to the wall. On March 20, 1942, Eddie Rickenbacker was honored at the Mission Inn, becoming the fifty-seventh flier to have copper wings added to the Famous Fliers Wall.
The Miller family embraced flight with an unmatched enthusiasm. The result was an extensive and eclectic military and civilian aviation collection. Travel brochures, souvenirs, insignias, photographs, and a variety of other materials are part of the collection. Others familiar with the family’s aviation interest provided items for the collection. This photograph of Eddie Rickenbacker predates the establishment of the Famous Fliers Wall by thirteen years and was a gift to Frank Miller’s sister, Alice Richardson.
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